The Fins stand at the top of the division alone with a 2-0 record after doing what they were supposed to Week 1 by beating the Bills and then going into Minnesota and escaping with a win against a Vikings team that was one game from the Super Bowl last season.
The Dolphins took on Minnesota on Sunday and made Vikings quarterback Brett Favre look like, well, like the 40-year-old he is. They flustered the future Hall of Famer on their way to forcing four turnovers from the Ol' Gunslinger.
The road win on Sunday was contingent upon the Dolphins doing two things: playing strong defense and protecting the football.
After two weeks, Miami has allowed only 20 points total. More importantly, they are winning the turnover battle. They've forced four turnovers and only turned the ball over themselves twice. One of those fumbles came on a careless Ricky Williams fumble on Sunday in the shadow of his own goalpost that led to a Vikings touchdown.
Quarterback Chad Henne's numbers won't be earning him any Pro Bowl berths in the near future, but the former Michigan Wolverine is showing a toughness and resolve that he showed in college. And again, most importantly, he hasn't thrown an interception. He and new wide receiver Brandon Marshall are developing a rapport together, one that should continue to be beneficial for the Dolphins.
But the real story has been the Miami defense. Tony Sparano has the Dolphins putting pressure on the quarterback, which has been the biggest reason for their impressive numbers this season.
They've discovered a real gem in CFL alum Cameron Wake. The 28-year-old cast-off is following up a 2009 season in which he registered 5.5 sacks with 2.5 sacks in the first two weeks this year. It's also looking like the offseason investment in Karlos Dansby is paying off for the Dolphins. The former Arizona Cardinal has a sack and 10 tackles through two weeks and his presence alone makes the Dolphins a better defensive team.
On Sunday, with the game on the line, the Dolphins were able to keep the best running back in the game out of the end zone when it mattered most. Adrian Peterson got the ball four times with the Vikings inside the Miami 10-yard line, but the Dolphins were able to stuff the run on fourth-and-goal from the 2. It was a sequence of plays that summed up what the Fins have represented this year and could serve as a spring board for future success.
Their two wins haven't been pretty by any stretch of the imagination. But, their style of play — protect the ball and play strong defense — is something that will keep them in every game if they can stick to it.
While everything is all fine and good in Miami now, things are about to get a little bit more difficult. While we think we know a thing or two about them right now after their quick start, we're about to find out what they're really all about.
If they want to prove to the NFL that they're a viable AFC East and playoff contender, they'll get their first chance to really prove it in the next two weeks. The Jets are coming to town for the Miami home opener in Week 3, followed by a visit from the Patriots on Monday night in Week 4. And if that's not enough, they'll travel to Green Bay in Week 5, where Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay Packers will be waiting before heading home to take on a Steelers team that will likely have Ben Roethislberger under center.
That showdown with the Steelers takes place on Oct. 24. By then, we'll know for sure whether or not these first two weeks have been an aberration.
Some predicted the Dolphins would be good this season, but many more put their money on the Patriots or Jets. If Sparano and Co. can keep up this level of play, though, it will be Miami, not New England or New York, who will be the odds-on favorite to win the AFC East horse race.
